Coal mining machine having a pivotally mounted cutter tube



Jan. 28, 1958 H. H. GARDNER COAL MINING MACHINE HAVING A PIVOTALLYMQUNTED CUTTER TUBE Filed Nov. 30. 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet l HIS ATTORNEYJan. 28, 1958 H. H. GARDNER COAL MINING MACHINE HAVING PIVOTALLY MOUNTEDCUTTER TUBE 4 Sheets -Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 50, 1955 R O T N E V N HAROLDH. GARDNER H|S ATTORNEY Jan. 28, 1958 H. H. GARDNER 2,821,374

com. MINING MACHINE HAVING A PIVOTALLY Momma CUTTER TUBE Filed Nov. 50.1955 4 Sheets-Sheet a Q P 32 1 IO 1 ll .0 A o;

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- 95 22 9 65 J 57 1 s9 f U I U 9 115 c I 1 m 27 H2 H3 9 n3 F/GL6"INVENTOR HAROLD H. GARDNER HIS ATTORNEY Jan. 28, 1958 H. H. GARDNER com.MINING MACHINE HAVING A PIVOTALLY MOUNTED CUTTER TUBE Filed Nov. so,1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 F/G. '9 INVENTOR HAROLD H. GARDNER HIS ATTORNEYUnited States Patent COAL MINING MACHINE HAVING A PIVOTALLY MOUNTEDCUTTER TUBE Harold H. Gardner, Fernie, British Columbia, Canada,

assignor to Canadian Ingersoll-Rand Company, Limited, Montreal, Quebec,Canada, a corporation of Canada Application November 31), 1955, SerialNo. 550,188

3 Claims. (Cl. 262-26) This invention relates to a mining machine, andmore particularly to a coal mining machine which is a combination coalloader and cutter of the continuously operating type.

One object of this invention is to provide an improved coal miningmachine which cuts and transports coal from the seam continuously andsimultaneously.

Another object is to provide a selfpropelled, easily maneuverablemachine that will load and carry away coal continuously.

Still another object is to provide easy means to reach, out and removecoal from hard-to-get-to places, such as the overhang in a seam.

Other objects will become obvious in the following specification andaccompanying drawings.

Fig. l is a side view partly broken away, and partly in section, of acompleted machine constructed in accordance with the practice of theinvention; the forward part of the cutter cylinder is not shown in thisview;

Fig. 2 is a front view of the machine showing the cylinder pointingdirectly ahead; the forward section of the cutter cylinder beingremoved; 7

Fig. 3 is a side view partly in section of part of the forward endsection of the cylinder;

Fig, 4 is a partial front view of the cutter cylinder, partly insection, showing the cutting teeth along the periphery;

Fig. 5 is a transverse view taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 1 looking inthe direction of the arrows;

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic plan showing the hydraulic circuit of themachine in its preferred form;

, Fig. 7 is a plan view of the preferred form of the machine showingmore particularly the conveyor system;

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view of mining operations illustrating the useof the machine in removing the portion'of the overhang;

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic view of mining operations showing the use ofthe machine as a loader.

Referring to Fig. 1, the machine consists of a rotatable cutter cylinder10 having internal conveyor flights .32 to carry the core and cuttingsto the rear where they are dumped onto the tail conveyor 43 or otherreceiving device, the cylinder 10 being mounted pivotally at one end ona self-propelled chassis 15.

The cutting unit is seen to comprise the cylinder 10 which is rotatablymounted on the frame 11. The frame 11 may be formed as a sleeveconcentric with the cylinder 10 and has anti-friction bearingscomprising an inner race 12 on the cylinder 10 and an outer race 13 onthe circumference of frame 11. Frame 11 is mounted on the chassis 15 bya pivot 28 which allows the frame 11 and with it the cylinder 10 toswing vertically.

7 Referring to Fig. 2, the chassis 15 has two side track housings 75 ofinverted U form, the legs of each U extending downward to protect tracks17 and the bases of the Us form platforms 76 on which the operator maystand and, also a support for parts referred to herein- I 2,821,374Patented Jan. 28, 1958 ice after. The housing are rigidly connected bycross braces, one of which is shown at 74, Fig. 1, and another at 78.

Chassis 15 is supported and propelled by well-known track-laying typetreads having the rear drive wheels 18, front running wheels 19 andtracks 17. The tracks 17 are powered by motors 20 and 21, indicated inFig. 2, conveniently mounted on chassis housings 75, which rotate thedrive wheels 18 by means of the chain drive 45. By independentlycontrolling motors 20 and 21 the machine may be steered in thewell-known manner. Screw 83, Fig. 1, exerts a longitudinal force againstthe bearing box 19' of front running wheel 19 to take up any slack intrack 17. Screw 83 is threaded through sleeve 84 which is secured tochassis housing 75 and is provided with locknuts 85' screwed on screw 83against sleeve 84.

In the preferred arrangement extensible means such as hydraulic rams 16are used to raise cylinder 10 on pivot 28, which extends horizontallyacross the rear of the chassis 15. The hydraulic rams 16 are mounted onchassis 15 by means of the pivots 60 (Fig. 2), and on a shaft 61supported at either side of frame 11 by brackets 91. Each hydraulic ram16 has a cylinder and a corresponding piston 63 having a rod 64extending through gland 92 to bearing block 99. Nut on rods 64 locks rod64 to bearing block 99.

The cylinder 10 is rotated by motor 14 (Fig. 1), having a shaft 65 (Fig.5), on which is keyed sprocket 22. A larger sprocket 66 is driven fromsprocket 22 by a chain 23. Sprocket 66 and a smaller sprocket 24 areboth keyed to a shaft 67 which in turn drives the cylinder 10 by a chain25 engaging peripheral sprocket 26 mounted on the outer circumference ofcylinder 10.

Motor 14 is suitably mounted on base 27 which suspends from frame 11being bolted thereto as at 110. Slack in chain 25 is taken up by themeans for mounting the lay shaft 67 in cooperation with an idlersprocket 69. To this end, the bearing blocks 95 of shaft 67 are mountedon a plate 79 hinged at one end on a pivot 80 mounted on a base plate 96having suitable lugs 111. The base plate 96 is bolted to the base by capscrews 112 passing through slotted holes in plate 96 into bosses 113extending upwardly from the base 27. An adjusting screw 114 passingthrough the side of the base 27 and threaded into the flanged side ofplate 96 regulates the position of the shaft 67 with respect to themotor shaft 65 to take up slack in chain. Idler sprocket 69 is mountedon bearing plates 115 (only one of which is shown) extending upwardlyfrom plate 79 to position the sprocket 69 between peripheral sprocket 26and sprocket 24 and engage chain 25. The weight of mechanism supportedby plate 79 tends to depress the plate and tighten chain 25. The plate79 is kept in the depressed position by means of a stud 97 passingthrough plate 79 and provided with looking nuts 57.

Cylinder 10, Fig. 1, constitutes the base of the cutter assembly therebeing provided a forward cylinder section 72 mounted upon the forwardend of cylinder 10. For this purpose there is provided a flange 70extending radially outward from the forward end of cylinder 10 and.

bolts 55 to engage flange 71 extending radially outward from the rearend of cylinder section 72. A ring 30, Figs.

3 and 4, is provided at the forward end of cylinder section 72 to cutinto the coal face by means of a series of teeth 31 in the-ring 30facing forward. The ring 30 is bolted to the forward periphery ofcylinder section 72 by bolts 81.

To carry the core and cuttings from the forward end of cylinder section72 to the rear, means is provided con-' sisting of flights 32 whichextend, from front to rear, spirally along the inner periphery ofcylinder section 72. Cylinder 10, Fig. 1, is also equipped with similarspiral flights, extending from the front to the rear, which join thoseof cylinder section 72 when attached to cylinder 10, thus forming acontinuous series of spiral flights extending from the forward end ofcylinder section 72 to the rear of cylinder 10. The spiral flights varyin height continuously from about zero at the forward end of cylindersection 72 to about 25 percent of the diameter of cylinder at the rearend thereof, and also increase in pitch from the front of cylindersection 72 to the rear of the cylinder 10. Upwardly disposed U-shapedtrough 85 is mounted on the rear of frame 11 directly under the rear ofcylinder 10 to dump the material onto a suitable conveyor 43.

In the preferred arrangement the machine may be used in conjunction witha conveyor 43 as seen in Fig. 7. Tail conveyor 43 may be of the belttype, having a plurality of idler and stretcher wheels 54, Fig. 1, oneonly being shown, the actual number depending upon the length of thesystem. A bracket 103 for supporting the conveyor 43 is attached to theunderside of pivot 46. Horizontally disposed pin 104 is mounted onsupporting bracket 103, on which vertically disposed stretcher wheels 54are mounted. Belt 53 of conveyor 43 passes around stretcher wheel 54.Belt 53 is so located that it passes directly beneath the rear end ofcylinder 10. Upwardly disposed flanges 47, Fig. 7, are mounted on eitherside of tail conveyor 43, adjacent to the machine.

The other end of tail conveyor 43 has a coupler 48 consisting of a frameformed by the side plates 87 and cross members 88. The side platessupport flange wheels 51 which are guided on tracks 52, mounted on theroom conveyor 44. These flange wheels 51 permit the coupler 48 to movelongitudinally along room conveyor 44. The upper portions of coupler 48are equipped with trunnions 49 to permit vertical movement of tailconveyor 43. The tail end of conveyor 43 is rotatable horizontally onswivel 108, which rests on the top surface of cross plate 109, which isattached to side plates 87. The center portion of swivel 108 consists ofthe circular opening of open hopper 50 which is directly above roomconveyor 44. Room conveyor 44 may be also of the wellknown endless belttype. Its endless belt 107 may reverse direction at anchor platform 56,which is located in a relatively permanent position. Anchor platform 56consists of cross members 131 and side members 130 between which ismounted horizontal pin 140. Belt 107 passes around vertically disposedstretcher wheels 86 which rotate on pin 140.

Power for all units of the machine is supplied by hydraulic pump 34,Fig. 1, which utilizes a liquid such as oil. Hydraulic pump 34 ismounted on base plate 73 which is attached to the rear of frame 11.Electric motor 33 is mounted also on base plate 73 and is coupled topump 34 by means of shaft coupling 132, Fig. 7. Control housing 42, Fig.2, mounted on platform 76 on the side of frame 11, houses the controlvalves 38, 39, 40 and 41 which operate the power units of the machine.

The preferred hydraulic circuit for the machine is diagrammaticallyrepresented in Fig. 6. Hydraulic pump 34 driven by electric motor 33draws oil from oil sump 35 and forces it through check valve 36. Oilsump 35 diagrammatically represented in conventional symbols containssuflicientl hydraulic liquid to supply all the motor units of themachine while in operation. When oil is exhausted from the power unitsit drains back into oil sump 35 and is reused. Any excess oil suppliedby pump 34 and not used by the power units of the machine will pass tothe oil sump 35 through spring loaded bypass valve 37 which is set to apredetermined oil pres sure. Thus a constant oil pressure is maintainedin the system regardless of how many power units are operating. The oilunder pressure is conveyed to the various power units of the machinethrough hydraulic pipes 62.

Boxes 38, 39, 40 and 41 are conventional symbols to represent hydraulicvalves to control the fluid supply from the main pump 34 to cylinderrotating motor 14, track propelling motors 20 and 21 and ram cylinders90, respectively. The arrows in these boxes indicate the direction offlow of the hydraulic liquid when the control valve is thrown in forwardand reverse directions. These control valves are manually operated andof the reversing type, all of them except 38 being adapted to return toneutral position when they are released. Thus if control valve 38 isthrown forward, oil would flow in the direction of the arrows, throughthe hydraulic pipes 62 (as indicated by the arrows at the left handside), and continue into cylinder motor 14, thus actuating it. The oilwould emerge from motor 14, flow through the hydraulic pipes 62 throughcontrol valve 38 returning to oil sump 35. If control valve 38 is thrownin the reverse direction, the direction of the oil flowing through motor14 would be reversed (as indicated by the arrows at the left), thusreversing the direction of rotation of motor 14. In a neutral positionof control valve 38 no oil will flow, and motor 14 will stop.

Motors 20 and 21 which power the tracks 17 are operated by controlvalves 39 and 40 similarly to previously described control valve 38.When control valves 39 and 40 are thrown in one direction, pressurizedoil is admitted through the hydraulic pipe 62 through control valves 39and 40, in the direction of the arrows. The oil continues through motors20 and 21 thus actuating them, returns through control valves 39 and 40in the direction of the arrow, and then flows into oil sump 35. As canbe seen motors 20 and 21 are individually controlled by control valves39 and 40 and are reversible.

Control valve 41 actuates the hydraulic rams 16. When control valve 41is thrown in forward direction, oil will be forced under pressure in thedirection of the arrows at the right through hydraulic pipes 62 intocylinder and exert force against the forward side of piston 63, thusforcing piston 63 and rods 64 outwards. While this is occurring, oil onthe reverse side of piston 63 in cylinder 90 will pass through thehydraulic pipe 62 through the control valve-41, in the direction of thearrows, and back into oil sump 35. When control valve 41 is thrown inthe opposite direction, that is as indicated by the parallel arrows atthe left, pressurized oil will flow in the direction of the arrowsthrough hydraulic pipe 62 into cylinder 90 to the reverse side of piston63 thus exerting force against it. Piston 63 is thus forced inwardly.The oil on the forward side of piston 63 is forced again throughhydraulic pipes 62 into control valve 41, in the direction of the arrow,and into oil sump 35.

During operation the operator is seated facing forward on a seat 89mounted on platform 76 to the rear of control housing 42, Figs. 8 and 9,so that he may easily reach control housing 42. By manipulating controlvalve 41, Fig. 2, forward and backward, the operator may raise or lowerframe 11 by means of hydraulic rams 16. By throwing control valve 41 ina forward direction, oil under pressure from hydraulic pump 34, Fig. 1,flows through control valve 41, Fig. 2, into cylinder 90 by hydraulicpipes 62, Fig. 5, and exerts pressure on the forward side of piston 63,Fig. 1, causing piston 63 to rise in cylinder 90. Force is transmittedfrom piston 63 through rod 64 to pivot 60 and guide frames 94, Fig. 2,which are attached to frame 11, causing frame 11 to rise about pivot 28,Fig. 1. If control valve 41 is thrown to the rear, the reverse result isobtained and frame 11 will swingdown.

Valves 39 and 40, Fig. 2, control the oil supply to motors 20 and 21which operate tracks 17 individually or together. Forward movement ofthe valves 39 and 40 will cause pressurized oil to flow from hydraulicpump 34 to motors 20 and 21 and actuate them. Motors 20 and 21 rotaterear track wheels 18 through drive chains 45, as seen in Figs. 1 and 2.Track wheels 18 drive tracks '5 17 and cause the machine to moveforward.- Backward movement of valves 39 and 40 will cause the machineto move to the rear, while moving the valves 39 and 40 in oppositedirections causes the machine to turn.

.Thecontrol valve 38 controls the flow of oil to motor 14, which rotatescylinder 10, Fig. 1. A forward movement of the control valve 38, Fig. 2,will allow pressurized oil to. enter motor 14 in a manner previouslydescribed, and actuate it. Motor 14 will then rotate sprocket 22 (Fig.which through drive chain 23, will rotate sprockets 66 and 24, bothmounted on shaft 67. Sprocket 24 through drive chain 25 will rotateperipheral sprocket 26, attached tocylinder 10, and cause cylinder torotate on inner and outer races 12 and 13, Fig. 1. The reduction driveallows cylinder 10 to be rotated at a much slower speed than motor 14and with a consequent high torque. The direction of rotation of cylinder10 may be reversed by throwing control valve' 38 to the rear.

When it is desired to work in a seam, at the start cylinder 10 willpreferably be raised to a horizontal position by means of control valve41, Fig. 2. Cylinder section 72, attached to cylinder 10, may be rotatedby operating control valve 38, and the machine driven straight into thecoal face by tracks 17. Rotating teeth 31, Fig. 3, are thus forcedagainst the coal face, cutting a circular section into the face. It willbe seen that the frustoconical shape of the forward end of cylindersection 72 is of advantage in allowing cylinder section 72 to advanceinto the coal face with considerable clearance. No great accuracy ofaiming the machine at the face is needed.

Core and cuttings entering the forward portion of rotating cylindersection 72 are engaged by flights 32, often broken into smaller piecesand fed to the rear of cylinder section 72 as it rotates. At the rear ofcylinder section 72 the coal is engaged by the flights of cylinder 10,Fig. l, and further fed to the rear of cylinder 10 by said flights. Thecoal is then funneled by means of trough 85 on to tail conveyor 43.Upwardly disposed flanges 47, Fig. 7, on tail conveyor 43 preventspillage. Tail conveyor 43 is free to rotate in a horizontal plane aboutpivot 46 and thereby accommodate itself to the travel of the wholemachine as it is maneuvered. Belt 53 carries the coal from cylinder 10to coupler 48. The coal upon reaching open hopper 50 on coupler 48,falls vertically to room conveyor 44, and is carried away on belt 107.Swivel 108 permits tail conveyor 43 to rotate horizontally in a circulardirection while following the movements of the machine. Stretcher wheels106 of trunnions 49, coupled with stretcher wheel 54, located directlybelow pivot 46, Fig. 1, permits tail conveyor 43 to swing in a verticaldirection as when the machine travels over an uneven floor.

The versatility of the machine will now become apparent. It may be movedin a longitudinal and transverse direction without interrupting theconstant flow of coal from cylinder section 72 to room conveyor 43, asmay be seen in Fig. 7. Coupler 48 will roll longitudinally on tracks 52as it is pulled by movements of the machine. When the machine ismaneuvered in a transverse direction the flexible couplings of swivel108 and pivot 46 will move accordingly, permitting an uninterrupted flowof coal to continue.

In mining operations the machine may be used to attack a coal face bydriving cylinder section 72 more or less horizontally into the coalface, as previously described, thus removing a cylindrical section ofcoal as indicated in Fig. 8 by section A. By maneuvering the machine,parallel series of such sections as indicated at A in Fig. 8 may beremoved across the coal face. Cylinder section 72 may then be swungupward by means of hydraulic rams 16 and rotating cylinder section 72can be driven into the coal face to remove a section of coal from theface as is indicated by section B, Fig. 8. A similar series of parallelsections such as shown at B may be removed 6 across the coal face. Thisprocess may be continued to remove further sections C and D as in Fig.8. By tipping rotating cylinder section 72 toward the floor, the lowerportion of the coal face may be removed as indicated by section E, Fig.8.

During these mining operations a quantity of coal may fall to the floorfrom cave-ins or the spillage of coal from the mouth of cylinder section72. Such coal may be picked up by lowering cylinder section 72 to thefloor and driving it into the loose coal, as shown in Fig. 9. Such loosecoal is scooped into the forward end of rotating cylinder section 72,engaged by the flights 32, and carried to the rear in the mannerpreviously described. Throughout the mining and loading operations, thecoal is continuously conveyed through tail conveyor 43 at room conveyor44 with very little interruption.

The advantages of the machine are apparent from the above. It may beused as a continuous miner to remove the entire face of coal withoutresorting to blasting.

In addition, the machine may be easily maneuvered in a pitching seamwhere other machines are not effective on account of sloping roofs.Attached to the conveyor system, the machine has great latitude ofmovement while still continuously delivering coal to the conveyorsystem. There are few delays in operation or idle time, for after themining phase of the operation is completed, the machine may immediatelybe used as a loader, to scoop up that coal which has fallen to thefloor.

Furthermore, workmen can do close supporting work while the machine isin operation. Thus this machine will do more efliciently, work whichpreviously required several machines.

It is understood that the details of construction are described by wayof illustration and that if preferred, other well known types of drivingmechanism can be utilized with no departure from the scope of theinvention as indicated by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A mining machine comprising a self-propelled carriage provided withmeans for steering the course thereof, a cutter tube in front and rearsections, the rear section overlying the carriage, and the front sectionextending beyond the carriage and flaring conically at its outer end,cutting elements mounted on the outer end of said front section, a framemounted on the carriage means for rotatably supporting said cutter tubewithin said frame with the ends of the tube projecting therefrom,horizontal pivot means on the lower side of said frame below said tubeand on the rear end of said carriage about which said pivot means saidframe is adapted to swing in the vertical plane, a motor for rotatingsaid tube mounted on the frame below said tube, and flights within saidtube to propel cut material therethrough upon rotation of said tube.

2. A mining machine comprising a self-propelled carriage provided withmeans for steering the course thereof, a cutter tube in front and rearsections, the rear section overlying the carriage, and the front sectiondetachably mounted on the rear section and coaxial therewith extendingbeyond the carriage and flaring conically at its outer end, cuttingelements mounted on the outer end of said front section, a frame mountedon the carriage means for rotatably supporting said cutter tube withinsaid frame with the ends of the tube projecting therefrom, horizontalpivot means on the lower side of said frame below said tube and on therear end of said carriage about which pivot means said frame is adaptedto swing in a vertical plane, a motor for rotating said tube mounted onthe frame below said tube, and flights within said tube to propel cutmaterial therethrough upon rotation of said tube.

3. A mining machine comprising a self-propelled carriage provided withmeans for steering the course thereof, a cutter tube in front and rearsections, the rear section being cylindrical throughout overlying thecarriage, and the front section detachably mounted coaxially with saidrear section extending beyond the carriage and flaring conically at itsouter end, cutting elements mounted on the outer end thereof, a framemounted on the carriage means for rotatably supporting said cutter tubewithin said frame with the ends of the tube projecting therefrom,horizontal pivot means on the lower side of said frame below said tubeand on the rear end of said carriage about which pivot means asaid'frame is adapted to swing in a vertical plane, a motor for rotatingsaid tube mounted on the frame below said tube and flights Within saidtube to propel cut material therethrough upon rotation of said tube.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS DrakeDec. 22, 1903 Galuppo et a1 'June 15, 1937 Compton July 31, 1951 Snyderet a1. Nov. 16, 1954 Bergmann Nov. 1, 1955 Letts Jan. 31, 1956Kirkpatrick July 24, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS Germany July 20, 1942

